Fish Tales
Moonlighting mangos
By CAPT. TYSON WALLERSTEIN
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006  |
Nighttime mangrove snapper fishing has been red hot and this week’s full moon will bring the best action of the summer.
Anglers fishing the Sunshine Skyway fishing piers have had some great action lately with snapper averaging 12 inches.
Cut pieces of fresh threadfins have been the bait of choice, rigged on size-1 hooks with a 30 pound leader, with just enough weight to hold your bait in position.
The Sunshine Skyway piers may give the landlubbers their best shot at a snapper dinner this weekend, but those fishing from a boat have a few more options.
Offshore anglers venturing out to the Middle Grounds or the Elbow for an overnight trip will find all the snapper (mangrove, American reds and yellowtail) they can handle.
Chicken rigs made with small hooks tipped with squid or shrimp will keep you busy with yellowtails. And having a live well full of pilchards will pay off for the mangos and the American reds.
Closer to shore, the pipeline in 80 to 130 feet of water also will be an excellent bet.
Snook fishing in the passes should explode this week on the afternoon outgoing tide. Big baits, i.e. pinfish, grunts and ladyfish, are choice baits for the big snook. Fish the fenders, pilings and the rock jetties for the largest concentrations of fish.
Redfish remain a reliable catch throughout the heat of the day and those big afternoon high tides should push the fish right up under the mangroves.
Although these fish will eat, they might be reluctant to come out of their shady dwelling to track down an artificial or even a live bait.
Chunking or chumming with fresh cut pieces of baitfish is a tried and true tactic for hot water reds. Toss out handfuls of cut bait right next to the mangroves and soak your offering right in the mix. If there are reds around it shouldn’t take long.
Until next week – GET BENT!
Tyson Wallerstein can be reached at capt.tyson@hotmail.com. If you have a fish picture you would like to see published in the newspaper, send it with your name and where it was caught, to: “Fish Tales,” Tampa Bay Newspapers, 9911 Seminole Blvd., Seminole, FL 33772, or e-mail it to editorial@TBNweekly.com.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2006
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